ANN ARBOR, Mich.—The Michigan Venture Capital Association (MVCA) will recognize several Michigan venture firms, investment professionals, and two venture-backed entrepreneurs for their successes at its annual awards dinner November 7 in Plymouth. The statewide membership organization will honor:
- MVCA “100 Award” winner Arboretum Ventures of Ann Arbor, for closing a venture fund over $100 million ($140 million Arboretum Ventures III, L.P., closed in August);
- Capital Event of the Year, the $250 million Venture Michigan Fund II, with MVCA members Tom Kinnear (U-M Ross School of Business); Kelly Williams (Credit Suisse CFIG); Charlie Rothstein (Beringea); and David Parsigian (Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn);
- Venture Exit of the Year Accuri Cytometers, for its 2011 sale to Becton Dickinson, with MVCA member venture investors Arboretum Ventures, Credit Suisse CFIG, Baird Venture Partners, Flagship, and Plymouth Ventures Partners; and,
- Jennifer Baird, initial CEO of Accuri Cytometers and current CEO of venture-backed Accio Energy, along with Accuri founder Colin Rich, will be named MVCA Entrepreneurs of the Year.
“The past year has brought some exciting activity to our state’s venture community, namely the launch of several new venture funds and one large venture-backed exit,” said Merrill Guerra, Executive Director of the MVCA. “The successful exit of Accuri Cytometers is another example of our region’s ability to produce great returns, owing in part to Michigan entrepreneurs’ capital efficiency and prudent management style. We encourage out-of-state investors to uncover what local venture investors already know—that there is a lot of potential in Michigan companies.”
About the MVCA
The MVCA is a trade organization designed to bring together venture capital industry participants in the state of Michigan. The organization’s goal is to grow and sustain a vibrant venture capital community in Michigan. Membership includes private venture capital funds, corporate venture capital funds, private equity firms, angel investors, and entrepreneurial infrastructure participants. The MVCA is a vehicle to bring together industry participants and to provide a concerted voice for Michigan’s venture capital industry. www.michiganvca.org